The Stargate Program is an international military and scientific research organization encompassing Stargate Command, the strategic exploratory group lead by the United States Department of Defense, tasked with operating the Stargate device and addressing all matters pertaining to forces off-world, such as threats to planet Earth or missions to procure new technology from extraterrestrial civilizations. Stargate Command is headquartered at the site designated Area 52, based inside the Cheyenne Mountain Complex of the mountainous central United States of America.